One & Why

One & Why is a quick, choice-based routine that builds metacognition and higher-order thinking while giving the teacher clear insight into students’ reasoning. The teacher prepares four parallel problems (same standard, varied difficulty/format)—for example, four equations to solve, four essay prompts, or four sentences to diagram. Students first scan all four options, then choose one to complete and write a short, honest rationale explaining why they selected that problem (e.g., perceived difficulty, strategy fit, familiarity). The solution is graded for accuracy, and the rationale is evaluated for clarity and completeness. This structure preserves rigor while honoring student choice, surfaces how learners assess task demands, and reveals misconceptions or strategy preferences you can address in instruction.